Question 1

What is the significance of the Tunguska River Valley in Siberia in terms of asteroids?
A) It is where the largest comet was sighted.
B) It is where a large airburst of an asteroid occurred in recent history.
C) It is the site of a crater that marks the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs.
D) It is the site of the largest impact crater ever recorded on Earth.
E) It is a site of enormous wildfires in prehistoric times.

Accepted Answer

The Tunguska River Valley is significant because it is where a large airburst of an asteroid occurred in 1908. This event, known as the Tunguska event, is the largest impact event recorded in history and is estimated to have been caused by an asteroid or comet exploding in the atmosphere above the valley.

Question 2

Which of the following describes a meteoroid?
A) Large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) Moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
C) Small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) Variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) Icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic object in space, typically less than 10 meters in diameter, that originates from collisions between asteroids.

Note: Option A describes an asteroid, option C describes a meteor, option D may refer to a meteor or a meteorite depending on the context, and option E describes a comet.

Question 3

Why did scientists FIRST hypothesize that a meteorite impact caused the extinction at the K-Pg Boundary? A) They found evidence of a giant tsunami on the Gulf coast. B) They found evidence of an impact crater in Mexico. C) They found evidence of wildfires in many regions throughout the globe. D) They found evidence of Iridium enrichments in a clay layer that led them to believe that the Iridium was the remains of a meteorite impact. E) They found evidence of acid rain in the rocks in the Southern Hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

The initial hypothesis that a meteorite impact caused the extinction at the K-Pg Boundary was based on the discovery of Iridium enrichments in a clay layer. Iridium is rare on Earth's surface but common in meteorites, leading scientists to propose that the Iridium was the remains of a meteorite impact.

Question 4

Why didn't the Tunguska Event in Siberia in 1908 cause any deaths?
A) It was a small diamond-bearing meteorite that was incapable of producing much damage.
B) It was an airburst that flattened trees over a huge area but it occurred in a remote area of the world.
C) It was a meteor that vaporized high in the Earth's atmosphere but it was visible to millions of people for several minutes.
D) It was a meteorite that created one of the largest impact craters ever recorded on Earth but it occurred in a remote area of the world.
E) It was a comet that passed near the Earth but it was visible to people for 18 months.

Accepted Answer

The Tunguska Event was an airburst, meaning the meteoroid exploded high in Earth's atmosphere. It flattened trees over a large area but occurred in a remote area of Siberia, so there were no deaths recorded.

Question 5

Which of the following describes a asteroid?
A) Large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) Small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
C) Variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
D) Icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

An asteroid is a large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.

Option B describes a meteoroid or micrometeoroid, which is a small diameter (<10 cm) object that is destroyed in Earth's atmosphere.

Option C describes a meteor, which is a variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface.

Option D describes a comet, which is an icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns and originates from outside our solar system.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT an extraterrestrial particle? A) Asteroid B) Meteoroid C) Meteor D) Comet E) Cupid

Accepted Answer

Asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, and comets are all extraterrestrial particles that are commonly found in space. However, Cupid is not an extraterrestrial particle. It is a mythological figure from Roman mythology who is often associated with Valentine's Day.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is NOT a reason why meteorite impact craters are much more common on the Moon than on the Earth? A) Many impact craters on the Earth are buried by sediment over geologic time and so we don't see them. B) Many impact craters on the Earth are destroyed by plate tectonic processes. C) Smaller meteoroids and comets tend to burn up and disintegrate in the Earth's atmosphere before striking its surface. D) The Earth's crust is very strong and so it is difficult for meteorite impact craters to form there.

Accepted Answer

The Earth's strong crust makes it more difficult for meteorite impact craters to form, but this statement is not a reason why impact craters are more common on the Moon than on Earth. A, B, and C are all reasons why impact craters are less commonly visible on Earth.

Question 8

What is the significance of the rock Breccia in an impact crater?
A) It is composed of dust-sized glassy ash particles, indicating melting and a large explosion.
B) It is composed of angular fragments indicating that rocks had been shattered.
C) It contains small-scale layering indicating deposition by settling through water.
D) It is composed of iridium indicating that it was created slowly.
E) It is composed of clay indicating a strong impact.

Accepted Answer

Breccia is a type of rock that is composed of angular fragments that have been cemented together. In an impact crater, the rocks in the surrounding area are shattered and broken by the impact, and then mixed together and compacted to form breccia. Therefore, the presence of breccia in an impact crater is significant as it indicates that the impact was large enough to break apart and fragment the surrounding rocks.

Question 9

Why do particles like meteors and comets glow in the evening sky?
A) They are made from gases that burn in the Earth's atmosphere.
B) They are very hot while they are in space and they cool off in the Earth's atmosphere.
C) They glow like the sun until they enter the Earth's atmosphere.
D) Friction from the Earth's atmosphere causes them to heat up.
E) Friction from the Earth's atmosphere causes them to cool down.

Accepted Answer

When particles like meteors and comets enter the Earth's atmosphere, friction causes them to heat up. This heating causes them to become incandescent and glow brightly in the evening sky.

Question 10

Which of the following describes a meteorite?
A) Large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) Moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
C) Small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) Variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) Icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

A meteorite is a variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface. The other options describe different celestial objects such as asteroids and comets.

Question 11

How are particles in the solar system classified by scientists?
A) Based on diameter and temperature
B) Based on speed of entry and mass
C) Based on diameter and speed of entry
D) Based on composition and diameter
E) Based on mass and composition

Accepted Answer

Scientists classify particles in the solar system based on their composition and diameter. Composition refers to the materials that make up the particle, such as rock, ice, or metal. Diameter is the size of the particle. By classifying particles in this way, scientists can better understand their properties and origins.

Question 12

How are impact craters different from volcanic craters?
A) They aren't. Scientists have to use other methods to determine whether the crater is volcanic or from asteroids.
B) Impact craters are larger than volcanic craters.
C) Impact craters involve heating of underlying rocks and volcanic craters do not.
D) Volcanic craters involve intense pressure on underlying rocks and impact craters do not.
E) Impact craters involve pressure and heating to rocks in much greater degrees than with volcanic processes.

Accepted Answer

Impact craters involve much greater degrees of pressure and heating to rocks compared to volcanic processes, which generally involve less extreme conditions. This difference in intensity is due to the large amount of energy involved in an impact event, such as from an asteroid or comet colliding with the Earth's surface. In contrast, volcanic craters are formed by magma rising to the surface and erupting, which can cause explosions and ash clouds but typically involve less force than an impact.

Question 13

Which of the following will NOT cause mass extinctions? A) Plate tectonics B) Volcanic Activity causing global cooling C) Volcanic Activity causing global warming D) Extraterrestrial impact E) Landslides

Accepted Answer

Landslides, while potentially devastating on a local scale, do not have the global impact necessary to cause mass extinctions. The other options listed can have significant global effects on climate, atmosphere, or the surface of the Earth, which can lead to mass extinctions.

Question 14

Why couldn't researchers find the crater created by the asteroid that resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs?
A) It was in a remote part of the world where nobody lives.
B) It was too small for anyone to notice.
C) It was destroyed by plate tectonic processes.
D) It was buried by sedimentary rock and the seafloor.
E) It was buried in snow and ice.

Accepted Answer

The asteroid impact that resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs occurred in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, and the resulting crater, known as the Chicxulub crater, is estimated to be over 100 miles in diameter. However, sedimentary rock and the seafloor have buried the crater, making it difficult to find.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about meteorite impacts is TRUE? A) During the Earth's history there have been only a few meteorite impacts due to the protection by the Earth's atmosphere, which vaporizes nearly all meteorites. B) When a large meteorite strikes the Earth, there is a shock wave that compresses, heats, melts, and excavates earth materials. C) Meteorite impact craters cannot be distinguished from volcanic craters. D) Meteor Crater in Arizona has been accepted as having formed by a meteorite impact since it was discovered by geologists in the late nineteenth century. E) Impact craters are all roughly the same size.

Accepted Answer

When a large meteorite strikes the Earth, it creates a shock wave that compresses, heats, melts, and excavates earth materials. The other statements are false. A) Although many meteorites burn up in Earth's atmosphere, there have been numerous impacts throughout Earth's history. C) Meteorite impact craters can be distinguished from volcanic craters based on their distinct characteristics. D) Meteor Crater in Arizona was accepted as having formed by a meteorite impact soon after it was discovered, not in the late nineteenth century. E) Impact craters vary in size depending on the size of the meteorite and other factors.

Question 16

Which of the following describes a meteor?
A) Large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) Moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
C) Small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) Variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) Icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

A meteor is a small object (<10 cm) that enters Earth's atmosphere and is destroyed upon entry, often creating a streak of light in the night sky. This is also commonly referred to as a shooting star.

Question 17

Approximately how old is the Sun?
A) 14 billion years old
B) 14 million years old
C) 5 billion years old
D) 5 million years old
E) 5 thousand years old

Accepted Answer

According to scientific estimates, the Sun is approximately 5 billion years old. It was formed from a cloud of gas and dust called a solar nebula, which collapsed under gravity about 4.6 billion years ago. This makes the Sun a middle-aged star, expected to remain in its current state for another 4-5 billion years before eventually running out of fuel and dying.

Question 18

What triggered the formation of the Sun?
A) Supernova explosion
B) Big Bang explosion
C) Radioactive decay of uranium
D) Electromagnetic attractions
E) No one knows.

Accepted Answer

A supernova explosion likely triggered the formation of the Sun by sending shock waves through a cloud of gas and dust, causing it to collapse under its own gravity and eventually form the Sun and the solar system.

Question 19

About how many major Mass Extinctions have there been in the Earth's history?
A) One, just the dinosaurs
B) About 6
C) About 50
D) About 100
E) About 1000

Accepted Answer

There have been around 5-6 major mass extinctions throughout the Earth's history, such as the one that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Question 20

Which of the following describes a comet?
A) Large diameter (10m-1000km) object originating from belt between Jupiter and Mars
B) Moderate diameter (<10m) object originating from collisions of asteroids
C) Small diameter (<10 cm) object destroyed in Earth's atmosphere
D) Variable-sized object that intersects the Earth's surface
E) Icy object that appears to have a tail as it burns, originates from outside our solar system

Accepted Answer

Comets are icy objects that originate from outside of our solar system and appear to have a tail as they burn up in the presence of the sun.

Quiz 14: Impacts and Extinctions

What is the significance of the Tunguska River Valley in Siberia in terms of asteroids?

Which of the following describes a meteoroid?

Why did scientists FIRST hypothesize that a meteorite impact caused the extinction at the K-Pg Boundary?

Why didn't the Tunguska Event in Siberia in 1908 cause any deaths?

Which of the following describes a asteroid?

Which of the following is NOT an extraterrestrial particle?

Which of the following statements is NOT a reason why meteorite impact craters are much more common on the Moon than on the Earth?

What is the significance of the rock Breccia in an impact crater?

Why do particles like meteors and comets glow in the evening sky?

Which of the following describes a meteorite?

How are particles in the solar system classified by scientists?

How are impact craters different from volcanic craters?

Which of the following will NOT cause mass extinctions?

Why couldn't researchers find the crater created by the asteroid that resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs?

Which of the following statements about meteorite impacts is TRUE?

Which of the following describes a meteor?

Approximately how old is the Sun?

What triggered the formation of the Sun?

About how many major Mass Extinctions have there been in the Earth's history?

Which of the following describes a comet?